Hays
Spelling variant of Hayes, which has multiple origins.
Every Hays since 1880 — 745 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Hays
Hays is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,469 in 2025 with 17 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 745 American babies have been named Hays. Its peak came in 2024, when 25 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Hays stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Hays year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 17 | #5,469 |
| 2024 | — | — | 25 | #4,242 |
| 2023 | 5 | #16,068 | 16 | #5,753 |
| 2022 | — | — | 21 | #4,766 |
| 2021 | — | — | 23 | #4,416 |
| 2020 | — | — | 19 | #4,920 |
| 2019 | — | — | 17 | #5,415 |
| 2018 | — | — | 18 | #5,171 |
| 2017 | — | — | 20 | #4,810 |
| 2016 | — | — | 17 | #5,397 |
| 2015 | — | — | 16 | #5,597 |
| 2014 | — | — | 24 | #4,176 |
| 2013 | — | — | 9 | #8,355 |
| 2012 | — | — | 9 | #8,409 |
| 2011 | — | — | 15 | #5,776 |
| 2010 | — | — | 8 | #9,099 |
| 2009 | — | — | 10 | #7,909 |
| 2008 | — | — | 7 | #10,266 |
| 2007 | — | — | 10 | #7,798 |
| 2006 | — | — | 13 | #6,229 |
| 2005 | — | — | 9 | #7,875 |
| 2004 | — | — | 11 | #6,701 |
| 2003 | — | — | 6 | #10,036 |
| 2002 | — | — | 7 | #8,796 |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | 9 | #7,040 |
| 1995 | — | — | 6 | #8,175 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | 9 | #4,464 |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | 5 | #5,015 |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | 6 | #3,475 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | 7 | #2,985 |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | 6 | #3,771 |
| 1925 | — | — | 9 | #3,016 |
| 1920 | — | — | 13 | #2,385 |
| 1915 | — | — | 13 | #2,108 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | 5 | #1,316 |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | 5 | #974 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hays mean?
Spelling variant of Hayes, which has multiple origins.
How popular is the name Hays in 2025?
Hays ranked #5,469 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 17 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Hays?
745 babies have been named Hays in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Hays most popular?
Hays peaked in 2024, when 25 newborns received the name.
Is Hays a boy or girl name?
Hays is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Hays rising or falling?
Hays is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.